Cleveland Browns: What to look for in Preseason Week 1
What will the offensive line look like?
Cleveland is really going to miss Joe Thomas. The future Hall of Fame left tackle has been a rock in the foundation of the Browns offensive line. But for the first time since 2007, he will not be with the team. That hole has been the biggest one to fill, and it is up to Hue Jackson and Todd Haley to figure out the best option to plug in that hole.
The blindside protection of any quarterback is important, but it’s even more so the case when your quarterback is a rookie. Ball protection is going to be key for this new look Cleveland offense, and it starts up front. If your most important offensive line spot is a leaky dam, then the pocket could very well become flooded too quick for the quarterback, be it Taylor or Mayfield, to make something good happen.
After attempting to push right tackle Shon Coleman over to the left side unsuccessfully, as well as trying to fit former number two overall pick Greg Robinson there, the team was forced to move Joel Bitonio to left tackle, and put second-round pick Austin Corbett to left guard.
Some were suggesting the team try and move Corbett to left tackle, but that potential move wasn’t popular to Joe Thomas, as he has come out and said that Corbett would be at his best as an NFL left guard.
The rest of the offensive lineup is mostly set, as most of the line from 2017 returns. The biggest concern will remain left tackle, until Bitonio can either show he can adjust to the move outside, or John Dorsey pulls off another string of trades to get himself a starting caliber player at that position.
Thursday night against a deep and talented defensive line unit on the Giants will be a good barometer for where the team currently is, and where it needs to go from here forward.